Starting September 8, during school hours ALL visitors (parents, guardians, volunteers, contractors, vendors, etc.) MUST enter through a building's main entrance and complete the check-in process. Each visitor will be required to enter their name and a reason for visiting into an electronic check-in software that will also take their picture.

Once the check-in process is complete, each visitor will receive an identification sticker which they are required to wear, visible and above the waist, throughout the duration of their visit. Once their visit is complete, visitors must also check out at the main entrance and return their identification sticker before leaving the building.

Though each process can be completed in under 30 seconds, families and visitors are encouraged to plan ahead when visiting schools during the school day.

Throughout the last few months, front entrances at five of the district’s eight schools have been under construction to facilitate the new check-in/out system and to add a layer of security to each building. Construction at the remaining schools (Mendota Elementary, Somerset Elementary, and Garlough Environmental Magnet School) is scheduled to begin in the next month and be completed by January.

“Redesigning our entrances to initially separate visitors from the rest of the building and updating our sign-in procedures will help us create safer schools,” said Mark Fortman, the district’s director of operations. “Not only will the new layout of each office provide an additional layer of security, it will allow us to maintain high levels of customer service for visitors—greeting guests, directing them to the right room, etc.”

When developing the plans for the new entrances, district administrators worked with each building to better understand their needs and school communities. The most recent design plans reflect the desire for buildings to be safe, but also remain open, community assets that are welcoming to guests.

Other security upgrades that have been installed over the summer at schools include additional security cameras, an expansion of lockdown button capabilities at the secondary schools, improved door locks and more. All projects are part of a district-wide security plan approved and funded by voters in November 2014.